Joanne L. Engnell, 85, Milaca

August 26, 1934 - November 12, 2019

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 AM on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at Christ Our Light-North, Princeton, MN, for Joanne L. Engnell who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 12. Fr. Kevin Anderson will officiate. Family and friends may gather at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Baldwin Township Cemetery, Princeton, MN.

Joanne was born to the late Walter E. and Christine T. (Gessner) Leonard on August 26, 1934, in Minneapolis, MN. Joanne graduated from Brainerd High School in 1952 and later on, at the age of 72 received her Bachelor’s Degree and at the age of 75 her Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from St. Cloud State University.

Joanne married Donald A. Engnell on May 30, 1953, at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Nisswa, MN. She was a homemaker and mother to her family. She also was a house cleaner for many years in the Princeton area.

Joanne enjoyed reading, music, writing, walking, playing guitar and piano, adopting “spare” children, leading Cub Scouts, helping form and work at the Princeton Used Clothing Center, and being involved with the Korean War Veterans in honor of her cousin, Sonny.

Joanne is survived by her children, Teri (Gary) Quigg of Provo, UT; Steve (Trish) Engnell of Bethel; Ronald (Brenda) Engnell of Milaca; Roger (Edie) Engnell of Hanover; Linda Tomany of Milaca; Doug (Lea) Engnell of St. Cloud; Melanie (Jim) King of Cottage Grove; and brother, Eugene (Jill) Leonard of Wisconsin. Joanne is also survived by 18 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and many, many “spare” kids who called her “Mom and Grandma.”

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; aunt, Mary; cousin, Sonny; and four infant children.